U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers Seize Over $419,000 in Cocaine at Brownsville Port of Entry

Release Date:

September 13, 2010

Brownsville, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge discovered cocaine valued at approximately $419,200 hidden within luggage.

On Friday, August 10 at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge, a CBP officer's primary inspection of a white 2007 Dodge Durango resulted in the vehicle and its driver being referred for a secondary examination. The vehicle's driver was identified as a 34-year-old female, Mexican citizen who resides in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico. At secondary, CBP officers discovered hidden packages within luggage contained in the vehicle. CBP officers removed a total of two packages from the bag with a combined total weight of 5.95 kilograms (13.1 pounds) of cocaine.

Packages of cocaine were found hidden in luggage belonging to a passenger in a vehicle

The cocaine from this seizure has an estimated street value of approximately $419,200. CBP officers seized the narcotics and vehicle and turned the driver over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents for further investigation.

"This interception by CBP officers illustrates the vigilance on the frontline by our dedicated and committed frontline protectors. I commend our officers for their commitment to the protection of our country," said Michael Freeman, CBP port director, Brownsville port of entry.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.